Get some Design Intervention at the GTA Home & Reno Show

GTA Home & Reno Show presented by RE/MAX coming February 16 to 19, 2018 at the International Centre in Mississauga

I love investing in my home. It’s where my family and I start and finish our day, it’s where we relax and entertain — it’s where we live our lives.

I have picked up inspiration and ideas for home improvement projects from home shows over the years. And now I work with the team that creates the four annual events because they are a part of BILD.

With the GTA Home & Reno Show presented by RE/MAX coming up on February 16 to 19, 2018— the Family Day weekend — at the International Centre in Mississauga, I sat down with Toronto Home Shows’ online community manager, Anna Rocoski, and answered a few questions to help explain how visitors can get the most out of the show — and make their next home renovation a success.

Anna Rocoski: How has the GTA Home & Reno Show helped you with your own renovations?

David Wilkes: We were looking to change the exterior of our house, so we went to the show not really knowing what to do or what the cost would be. We talked to a couple of people who were in the renovation business, specializing in stucco and other exterior work, and we were pleased to leave with some ideas. These ideas led to a follow-up visit to another home show and finally to doing business with the renovators. They ended up doing a great job of changing the exterior of our home and we’re happy to this day with the work they’ve done.

AR: What is the best approach when planning a visit to the GTA Home & Reno Show?

DW: There are two ways to go. One way is to go to explore possibilities for making your home different and the other is to go with an idea or plan in mind. We’ve often gone to get ideas and have come away with exactly what we needed to start making a concrete plan. The show is a great investment of your time because you see new things you didn’t think about and learn very specific information on how to undertake a project.

AR: Have you ever tried a DIY home improvement?

DW: Yes, but it didn’t go well. Do-it-yourself takes many forms, from hanging a picture to completing a big kitchen renovation. I tend to let the professionals do the bigger ones, whether inside or outside the home, because I recognize that larger projects require skills that I don’t have. DIY is fun, but you have to have the right tools, the right equipment, the right confidence, and that’s not who I am. I stick to hanging pictures.

AR: What are you most excited about seeing at this year’s GTA Home & Reno Show this year?

DW: I can’t wait to meet RenoMark renovators at the Destination Renovation booth. They’re offering free, 15-minute consultations and I am looking forward to getting professional advice. I’m also a huge fan of Handyman’s Corner, where I can pick up tips on how to improve my picture-hanging skills and tackle other small fixes around the house.

My turn to ask a question: As an insider, what other features of the show would you recommend to people?

AR: In addition to more than 300 vendors, we have expert speakers like HGTV’s Scott McGilligvray, Cityline’s Leigh-Ann Allaire Perrault, handyman Chris Palmer, a feature home built by Bonneville Homes, interior designers offering free consultations at Design Intervention (sponsored by Reno & Decor magazine), family activities on Family Day and so much more.

And from experience, I’d say plan your day online at gtahomeandrenoshow.com — and be sure to bring your smart phone for photos, a notebook and a pen.

Dave Wilkes is president and CEO of the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD), the voice of the homebuilding, land development and professional renovation industry in the GTA.

Choosing your finishes is a joyful rite of passage when buying a new condo – the first step in putting a personal stamp on a new home. But what if the finishes have been chosen for you? Or worse, were chosen by the builder 25 years ago?

The countdown is on! Only days remain till the annual Interior Design Show, Canada’s premier showcase of design taking place Jan. 17 to 20 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre but this year, in a new location in the South Building.

Cosentino is a global, family-owned company that produces and distributes high value innovative surfaces for the world of architecture and design, leaders in their respective segments such as Silestone® Quartz surfaces and Dekton® Ultracompact surfaces. Technologically advanced surfaces that create unique designs for the home and public spaces.

Over the past 14 years Factory Tile Depot has become #1 for everything tile and stone. With 5 locations showcasing the latest and greatest trends in the tile industry, we have built the confidence of trade and retail clients alike. We are proud to offer well thought out showrooms, extensive selections of hard to find tile-stone, on site designers, and some of the best after care support in the industry. Experience the FTD difference on your next project.

Fusion Stone is an easy and budget-friendly way to beautifully upgrade your home, inside and out. A patented Shouldice innovation, Fusion Stone is a thin stone veneer that is easily installed with the included stainless steel clips & screws. You just screw it to the wall and it’s “Hooked for Life”.

Sharing Passion & Performance. With our unique expertise and sensibilities, gained from our devotion to sound and music, we are committed to creating excitement and cultural inspiration together with people around the world.

Fisher & Paykel incorporates the world’s most innovative technologies and produce the most technically advanced, efficient and contemporary styled appliances. DCS created the first line of high end, commercial quality appliances and expanded to pioneer indoor and outdoor kitchen solutions for the at home chef. TRADE ONLY.

At Riobel we design, create and assemble faucets, shower systems and accessories in our Canadian facility located in St-Jérôme, a suburb of Montréal. Our modern and fashionable products are designed to fit all kitchens or bathrooms. They are easy to install, while mechanical parts are accessible from above the counter to facilitate cleaning and maintenance. Riobel: a benchmark of excellence since 1995!

X-Tile is sure to have whatever you need to express your unique individual style. We offer you an exceptional variety of wall and flooring options in ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, glass, mosaic and much more from leading suppliers around the world. Let our knowledgeable and friendly staff help you in your dream renovation or building project.

Created by fusion of exceptional design, superior quartz quality and cutting-edge technology, HansStone Quartz weaves together intriguing patterns and colours inspired by the diverse Canadian landscape.

With over 90 years of experience, BLANCO is the leading kitchen sinks and faucets manufacturer. From handcrafted in Germany Steelart® sinks and the beauty of Silgranit®, to the European design faucets, BLANCO products are celebrated worldwide for their unmatched quality and design. Blanco Silgranit® sinks are proudly manufactured in Canada TRADE ONLY.

Euro-Line Appliances has brought elite European engineered appliances to Canadian homes for over 25 years. Our brands exceed expectations and have earned awards in design, engineering, performance, and energy efficiency. All of our cooking, refrigeration, dishwashers, and laundry appliances are created to conserve our non-renewable resources.

Since 1989 Men At Work has specialized in renewing and enlarging older houses in core Toronto neighbourhoods. We are experts in managing the challenges of renovating sensitive old buildings into beautiful, functional, comfortable living spaces.

Established in 1987, Caesarstone pioneered the original quartz surface and continues to be a leading developer and manufacturer of premium surfaces. Highly functional and design forward, Caesarstone surfaces have endless application possibilities including kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, wall paneling, furniture and more.

BONE Structure has designed and patented a structural steel frame and insulation system that is the best integrator to build Net-Zero Energy custom homes. Using an integrated process inspired by the aerospace industry, we design and build high-performance, sustainable homes.

More than a kitchen and bath luxury showroom, The Water Closet offers unparalleled service, selection and solutions for all your plumbing and heating needs. Our goal is to be your full-service showroom while “Enhancing the Flow of Life”.

Through our customer feedback, we have learned the importance of ‘service’. You said and we listened. We addressed your needs and improvised; bringing you services and quality no one in the industry offers.

We've been proudly serving the community for more than 160 years. We deliver natural gas safely and reliably to two million homes and businesses across Ontario. With safety as our ongoing priority, we're committed to making communities better places to live.

The Interior Design Show (IDS) is Canada's premier showcase of new products, furniture, superstar designers and avant-garde concepts. This year, IDS Toronto celebrates the "Power of Design," and is expanding its current offerings to include IDS Contract, a hyper-curated B2B trade-only exposition and conference focused on all verticals of design. IDS takes place Jan. 17 to 20, 2019 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
"Now in its 21st year, IDS19 will focus on design across all verticals, including workplace, hospitality, retail, education, public space and government, and extend its trade-focused offering," says Karen Kang, national director, IDS Canada.

IDS Contract

IDS Contract will bring an additional 100-plus exhibitors and a number of new features areas aimed at B2B trade professionals. With the addition of IDS Contract, IDS is positioning itself as a hybrid event that caters to both trade construction and design professionals and a design-savvy, affluent consumer audience.

New show floor

IDS19 will feature a new floor plan designed to be dynamic and encourage more interaction with exhibitors, increase dwell time at the event, and enhance the overall experience for attendees. IDS has selected FIRM Architecture and Design, an emerging Brooklyn-based practice, which focuses on the intersection of architecture, urbanism and art to redesign the IDS show floor.

Feature Exhibits

Backcountry Hut

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="350"] Great Lakes Cabin[/caption]
The Backcountry Hut Company was founded as an idea for a simple and sustainable recreational structure that could be easily installed by groups of volunteers in remote locations. Developed as a modular cabin that can be delivered to your door as a flat pack kit of parts, the Backcountry Hut company will be launching its Great Lakes Cabin onsite at IDS19 in partnership with Leckie Studio Architecture + Design. Attendees will have the opportunity to expereicne well-designed, small-space living with access to the full cabin onsite, including full landscape design around the cabin by Flattery Design and skylights by Velux Technologies.

RADO

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="575"] RADO Star Prize competition[/caption]
Design-driven Swiss watchmaker RADO unveiled its partnership with Canada's premier design fair at IDS Vancouver 2018, as part of the brand's global commitment to design. In 2019, the partnership will see RADO host an installation at IDS Toronto and run its famous RADO Star Prize competition in Canada for the first time. The installation will focus on "Design Inspired by Nature," which is also the theme of the competition.

Monogram Canada brings fashion designer Zac Posen to IDS 2019

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="575"] Monogram[/caption]
Sophisticated styling meets customized design in the latest collaboration between luxury appliance brand Monogram and celebrity fashion designer Zac Posen. A custom designed refrigeration panel created by the fashion icon will be unveiled at the opening night party in the elevated exhibit.
With intricate craftsmanship from the charcoal mirror finish to the fabric-inspired details, Posen's door panel exudes sophistication. Inspired by how clothing wraps around the body and how different shapes move around the flat form of the panel, the distinctive design generate an inspiring standard of how unique the Monogram Column Refrigeration can be.

Designing for the human connection

Luxury quartz brand Caesarstone announces its collaboration with award-winning Dutch designer, Marije Vogelzang for their 2019 Designer Program. This year, Caesarstone dives deep into the thoughtfulness of design, food production and consumption, and how it translates into human connection. The company's IDS19 installation brings experiential and sensory implications to the forefront of the design-packed exhibition and will showcase Caesarstone surfaces through interactive activations.
The 2019 collaboration titled "Seeds by Marije Vogelzang presented by Caesarstone" will focus on the thoughtfulness we should have in our kitchens, whether in meal preparation or conversation shared with guests. This will be represented through the journey of the seed. The installation will take visitors on a sensory experience through memories, human connection, happiness, and the environment. The honeycomb-like exhibit will focus on generating stimulation from all sensory receptors as visitors travel their path eliminating external noise and disruption and imagining themselves as a seed and connecting back to the earth.

Building on the reputation and experience that DOT Furniture has acquired in the past twenty years, we have recently expanded our product mix. It includes an extensive selection of indoor furniture and casual living pieces that provides sophisticated solution to any setting. That’s why we say: From porch to patio and every furnishing in between… we’ve dot you covered.